Linderman preparing for two fights: Longtime Yreka MMA fighter now lives in Texas

Saturday

Mar 30, 2013 at 8:30 AMMar 30, 2013 at 8:40 AM

By Bill Choy

Things have been going at a whirlwind pace this year for professional mixed martial arts fighter D.J. “Da Protege” Linderman.
A longtime Yreka resident, Linderman, 29, who won a pro heavyweight title last year in Ireland, moved in January to train and help run a gym in Smithville, Texas, Fidelis Mixed Martial Arts, and also teaches MMA classes to kids at the gym. The town is located near Austin, the Texas state capital.
He also has two bouts lined up in April.
“A lot of big things are going to start happening for me in 2013,” Linderman said. “I've just been working hard and getting ready for my fights."
And, he excitedly mentioned, he is going be a dad for the third time the end of October with his girlfriend. He is already a proud father of two young daughters.
On April 19, Linderman is competing at the Legacy 19 Fighting Championships in Allen, Texas, in the Dallas area and is facing Robert Drysdale.
On April 27, Linderman is set to fight Felise Leniu in Sydney, Australia. Linderman said he enjoys the chance to fight in another country and experience a new culture. In his career, D.J. has fought and won in Morocco and Ireland.
Linderman said it was not an easy decision to leave California and Yreka and the gym he has been a part of from the start of his MMA career, Dosomthin Athletics.
But, he said, he knew it was time to try something different and go on a new life adventure
These two upcoming bouts will be the first since Linderman lost on national television in November against former UFC fighter Anthony Johnson in Las Vegas by knockout.
The bout, which was the co-headliner of the World Series Of Fighting 1, was shown live nationwide on the NBC Sports Network.
Linderman is currently 13-4 as a pro fighter.
“It's a big fight,” Linderman said about the Legacy bout. “I just want to have my chance to fight and show what I can do.” His opponent, Drysdale, is 5-0.
The fight will be a challenge, but Linderman believes if he fights to his ability he can come away with a victory.
He said he wants to prove his bout in November, where he was knocked out for the first time in his career is not the norm for him.
Linderman said that loss drives him and he wants to prove he is a good fighter, as he continues to strive to make his mark in professional MMA fighting.
“It did not sit well with me,” he said. “I want to prove it was a fluke.”
Linderman said that while he misses his friends and family, he has enjoyed working and training in Texas.
One thing D.J. enjoys about his new gym is working with young children and teaching them MMA. He said he is teaching kids as young as five the sport.
“Oh, it's been great,” Linderman said. “It certainly has helped me in my own training by helping me learn more by breaking moves down...It's been a great feeling to give back.”
Linderman said he was offered a chance to move to Texas and be a part of Fidelis Mixed Martial Arts a year ago, which he initially passed on. When it came up again, D.J. decided the offer was something he needed to look further at. After going up in January and working there for a two week trial he decided to stay, work at the gym and train for his bouts as a member of Fidelis Mixed Martial Arts.
“When this opportunity came again I decided to take it,” D.J. said. "I think all that's happening in my life is going to be good for me."
He said that his girlfriend will join him in Texas this summer and he can't wait to have her with him by his side again.
“At first it was tough,” D.J.admitted about moving to a new state and leaving Yreka. “When I came I didn't know anybody and I had to make new friends. I still miss a lot of things in Yreka and all my training partners.”
This includes good friend Beau Hamition, a fellow pro MMA fighter who still trains at Dosomthin and has a pro bout lined up in April, the day after D.J's first fight. The King of the Cage event is set for April 13 in Oroville and will be shown on national TV.
“We still talk about everyday,” D.J. said about his friend Beau, and said it's nice they both are there to support each other in their MMA endeavors.
A story on Hamilton is set to run in the Daily News next week.
Hamilton said that while he misses D.J. he is glad he is doing well in Texas.
“Good luck D.J.” he said.

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.